Examination of Physical Fitness and Somatotype Features of Parkour Practitioners (Traceur) and Gymnasts in University Education

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examination the physical and anthropometric features of the traceurs with the gymnasts university education. The study was carried out with university students, male twelve volunteer participants (traceurs=6, gymnasts=6). The mean age of the traceurs was 18.67±1.03 years, 172.67±3.78 cm, body weight 62.5±8.94 kg and BMI was 20.98±2.97 kg/m2; gymnasts was 19.33±1.21 years, 175.83±6.18 cm, body weight 65.17±8.06 kg and BMI was 21.11±2.67 kg/m2. According to the data obtained from traceurs and gymnasts, the somatotype features of the athletes were endomorph (2.70±0.32), mesomorph (4.09±1.70) and ectomorph (3.39±1.67), and endomorph (2.90±0.48), mesomorph (3.83±1.51) and ectomorph (3.49±1.52), respectively. It can be said that the dominant somatotype structures between the groups and within the groups are mesomorphy and ectomorphy in the traceurs and gymnasts. When somatotype features were compared between groups, no significant difference was observed. It is noteworthy that both branches have similar body structures (mesomorphy and ectomorphy). In conclusion, learning of these body structure features that determine and affect the performance by coaches education of athletes that athletes will show that perform successfully only with appropriate body structures and coaches may enable the preparation of a better training program.